Aerodynamic recapture method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and apparatus for reducing drag. An exemplary apparatus includes a semitrailer having a main frame extending along a longitudinal axis and a subframe movably connected to the main frame between a first position along the longitudinal axis and a second position along the longitudinal axis. The apparatus further includes an axle assembly attached to the subframe, the axle assembly including an axle, a left wheel set, a right wheel set, and a suspension, and a first recapture device located under the main frame behind and separated from the left wheel set along the longitudinal axis by a given spacing. The apparatus still further includes a second recapture device located under the main frame behind and separated from the right wheel set along the longitudinal axis by a second spacing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus forreducing drag. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relatemore particularly to an aerodynamic apparatus for reducing drag.

Description of Related Art

Vehicles are typically designed to increase fuel efficiency. Thesedesigns can include improvements in the combustion process andimprovements to the aerodynamics of the vehicle. In other words, manyvehicles are designed such that they reduce wind resistance when inmotion. However, there is a need for improved designs to reduce dragfrom wind resistance.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present disclosure toprovide a method and apparatus for reducing drag.

A first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides anapparatus for reducing drag. The apparatus includes a semitrailer havinga main frame extending along a longitudinal axis and a subframe movablyconnected to the main frame between a first position along thelongitudinal axis and a second position along the longitudinal axis, andan axle assembly attached to the subframe, the axle assembly includingan axle, a left wheel set, a right wheel set, and a suspension. Theapparatus further includes a first recapture device located under themain frame behind and separated from the left wheel set along thelongitudinal axis by a given spacing, the first recapture deviceoperable to expand to an expanded position and collapse to a collapsedposition such that the given spacing is maintained, and a secondrecapture device located under the main frame behind and separated fromthe right wheel set along the longitudinal axis by a second spacing, thesecond recapture device operable to expand to an expanded position andcollapse to a collapsed position such that the second spacing ismaintained.

A second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides amethod of manufacture. The method includes providing a semitrailerhaving a main frame extending along a longitudinal axis and a subframemovably connected to the main frame between a first position along thelongitudinal axis and a second position along the longitudinal axis, andproviding an axle assembly attached to the subframe, the axle assemblyincluding an axle, a left wheel set, a right wheel set, and asuspension. The method further includes providing a first recapturedevice located under the main frame behind and separated from the leftwheel set along the longitudinal axis by a given spacing, the firstrecapture device operable to expand to an expanded position and collapseto a collapsed position such that the given spacing is maintained, andproviding a second recapture device located under the main frame behindand separated from the right wheel set along the longitudinal axis by asecond spacing, the second recapture device operable to expand to anexpanded position and collapse to a collapsed position such that thesecond spacing is maintained.

A third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides anapparatus for reducing drag. The apparatus includes a semitrailer havinga main frame extending along a longitudinal axis and a subframe movablyconnected to the main frame between a first position along thelongitudinal axis and a second position along the longitudinal axis, andan axle assembly attached to the subframe, the axle assembly includingan axle, a left wheel set, a right wheel set, and a suspension. Theapparatus further includes a first mud flap located under the main framebehind and separated from the left wheel set along the longitudinal axisby a given spacing, the first mud flap comprising a plurality of ventsoperable to redirect air flow downward and toward the right wheel set,and a second mud flap located under the main frame behind and separatedfrom the right wheel set along the longitudinal axis by a secondspacing, the second mud flap comprising a plurality of vents operable toredirect air flow downward and toward the left wheel set.

A fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides amethod of manufacture. The method includes providing a semitrailerhaving a main frame extending along a longitudinal axis and a subframemovably connected to the main frame between a first position along thelongitudinal axis and a second position along the longitudinal axis, andproviding an axle assembly attached to the subframe, the axle assemblyincluding an axle, a left wheel set, a right wheel set, and asuspension. The method further includes providing a first mud flaplocated under the main frame behind and separated from the left wheelset along the longitudinal axis by a given spacing, the first mud flapcomprising a plurality of vents operable to redirect air flow downwardand toward the right wheel set, and providing a second mud flap locatedunder the main frame behind and separated from the right wheel set alongthe longitudinal axis by a second spacing, the second mud flapcomprising a plurality of vents operable to redirect air flow downwardand toward the left wheel set.

The following will describe embodiments of the present disclosure, butit should be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited tothe described embodiments and various modifications of the invention arepossible without departing from the basic principles. The scope of thepresent disclosure is therefore to be determined solely by the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary trailer with a recapture devicesuitable for use in practicing exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a close-up side view of the back of an exemplary trailer witha recapture device suitable for use in practicing exemplary embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a close-up side view of the back of an exemplary trailer withan expandable recapture device in an expanded position suitable for usein practicing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a close-up side view of the back of an exemplary trailer withan expandable recapture device in a collapsed position suitable for usein practicing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary left flap for use behind the rear wheels of atrailer on a recapture device suitable for use in practicing exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary right flap for use behind the rear wheels of atrailer on a recapture device suitable for use in practicing exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary mud flap with a recapturepanel suitable for use in practicing exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary vented mud flap suitablefor use in practicing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a side view of an exemplary recapture device suitable for usein practicing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a front view of an exemplary recapture device suitable foruse in practicing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is rear view of an exemplary recapture device suitable for usein practicing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of a semitrailer with an exemplary recapturesystem suitable for use in practicing exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 13 is another close-up side view of the back of an exemplarytrailer with a recapture device in the collapsed position suitable foruse in practicing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is another close-up side view of the back of an exemplarytrailer with a recapture device in the expanded position suitable foruse in practicing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a front view of an exemplary right and left mud flap suitablefor use in practicing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a side view of an exemplary expandable and collapsiblerecapture device suitable for use in practicing exemplary embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a front view of an exemplary mud flap suitable for use inpracticing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a front view of an exemplary extended mud flap suitable foruse in practicing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a side view of an exemplary extended mud flap suitable foruse in practicing exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aerodynamicrecapture device that is operable to increase the fuel efficiency oftrucks, trailers, and trailer systems by up to 5%. Embodiments providean airflow recapture device that uses the inline airflow of a truck ortrailer generated by forward mounted devices (e.g., fairings) andcarries that airflow out and away from the rear bumper and rear doors ofthe trailer. By controlling the airflow at the rear of the trailer,embodiments of the present disclosure allow the airstream to remainconstant without impact or turbulent flow hitting (or pulling) on thetrailer's back end. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure areoperable to improve performance of any device mounted in front of thewheels of a truck or trailer. Embodiments of the present disclosureprovide a recapture device operable to apply a forward force from passedair on the truck or trailer to further reduce fuel usage of the truck ortrailer. Embodiments also provide a mud flap that is operable to reducerear mist from a trailer. Embodiments provide a mud flap that operablyredirects air flow down and towards the center of a trailer. Embodimentsfurther provide a recapture device with a mud flap to reduce drag fromair flow.

By increasing the miles per gallon that trucks and tractor trailers geton a daily basis, a recapture device can provide fuel improvements toeach and every truck and/or trailer, saving millions of gallons of fueland reducing the amount greenhouse gases expelled into the atmosphere.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide two types of recapturedevices. A first embodiment includes a fixed recapture device that canbe mounted just behind the rear wheels of a truck or trailer. In thisembodiment, the recapture device will remain stationary relative to therear wheels at a fixed in distance from the rear wheels. A secondembodiment includes an expandable recapture device that can extend andcollapse along the longitudinal axis of the truck or trailercorresponding to movement of the wheels of the truck or trailer relativeto the truck or trailer.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, shown are side views of an exemplary trailerwith a recapture device suitable for use in practicing exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure. Shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is asemitrailer 102 that includes a main frame 104 extending along thelongitudinal axis of semitrailer 102. Semitrailer 102 includes any ofthe standard components known in the art including, but not limited to acoupling such as king pin, lighting, hoses, cabling, or wiring. Thesemitrailer 102 can also include landing gear as known in the art. Itshould be appreciated that semitrailer 102 can be any of the knownconfigurations including but not limited to dump trailers, containersemitrailers, chip vans, refrigerated, log, flatbed, or tanksemitrailers.

Semitrailer 102 includes a subframe 106 movably connected to the mainframe 104. In one configuration, the subframe 106 is movably connectedto the main frame 104 by means of a plurality of tracks, such that thesubframe 106 can move along the plurality of tracks to be located at anyof a number of positions along the longitudinal axis of semitrailer 102.

The subframe 106 is operably coupled to an axle assembly 108. The axleassembly 108 includes at least an axle 110, a plurality of wheels 112,and a suspension. Embodiments of the axle assembly 108 includes acombination of brakes, hydraulics, air lines, and connections to airride systems. It should be appreciated that the axle assembly 108 caninclude one or more axles, wherein each axle can include two or morewheels. It should also be appreciated that motion of the axle assembly108 relative to the main frame 104 locates the wheels 112 atcorrespondingly different locations along the longitudinal axis ofsemitrailer 102.

Also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is recapture system 114 located under themain frame 104 behind the left and right wheels 112 of semitrailer 102.Recapture system 114 includes two separate recapture devices 116 (shownin FIG. 12) each spaced a given distance behind the right and leftwheels 112 along the longitudinal axis of semitrailer 102, respectively.Recapture devices 116 reduces drag with respect to passing airflow, suchas induced when semitrailer 102 is being towed by a tractor. Eachrecapture device 116 extends along the longitudinal axis of semitrailer102 from adjacent to the left and right wheels 112 of the axle assembly108 to adjacent the rear end 118 of semitrailer 102. In the embodimentsdepicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recapture devices 116 are fixed relativesemitrailer 102 such that when wheels 112 are moved, recapture devices116 maintain a given spacing from wheels 112 and thus move with wheels112 and axle assembly 108.

Shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are a side, front, and rear views,respectively of an exemplary recapture device 116. The recapture deviceshown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 is an exemplary fixed recapture device 116that can be made of a semi-rigid material (e.g., rubber, thermoplastic,or polyvinyl chloride (PVC)). As illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, recapturedevice 116 is cone shaped with a hollow center that fluidly connects afront hole and a rear hole in the back of recapture device 116.Embodiments of recapture device 116 shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 areflexible and semi-rigid such that they are operable to maintain theircone shape while a trailer is in motion, but can be collapsed when axleassembly 108 is moved towards the rear of the trailer (as shown in FIGS.4 and 13).

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 13, and 14, shown is a close-up side view ofthe back of an exemplary trailer with an expandable recapture device 116suitable for use in practicing exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 13, and 14 are semitrailer 102 havingan axle assembly 108 with wheels 112 and recapture devices 116 locatedbehind the wheels 112. Recapture devices 116 shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 13,and 14 are collapsible and expandable such the location of the back endof recapture devices 116 is maintained relative to the rear end 118 ofsemitrailer 102, and a given spacing between wheels 112 and recapturedevices 116 is maintained when axle assembly 108 with wheels 112 aremoved relative to main frame 104. In FIGS. 3 and 14, recapture device116 is in an extended position. In FIGS. 4 and 14, recapture device 116is in the collapsed position. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3, 4,13, and 14 recapture device 116 can include a series of interconnectedpanels 117 that are moveable relative to one another such that recapturedevice 116 can operably move from a collapsed position to an expandedposition and then back to a collapsed position with and in response tomovement of axle assembly 108 relative to semitrailer 102. A close-upview of recapture device 116 in the expanded position is also shown inFIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 16, recapture device 116 includes a pluralityof panels (numbered 1-6) that are moveable relative to one another suchthat recapture device 116 can be expanded or collapsed. As shown in FIG.16, recapture device 116 is operably affixed to the rear bumper ofsemitrailer 102 such that recapture device 116 can expand or collapserelative to movement of axle assembly 108.

Shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 15, and 17 are a semi-permeable mud flap 120adjacent to wheels 112. Embodiments of mud flap 120 provide a dualpurpose. First, mud flap 120 is operable to reduce drag from passingairflow on a trailer by redirecting a flow of air downward and towardthe center of the longitudinal axis of a trailer, such as semitrailer102. Second, mud flap 120 is operable to reduce the rear mist producedfrom the wheels 112 of semitrailer 102. Mud flap 120 includes aplurality of vents 122 operable to direct a flow of air and mist downand towards the center axle assembly 108. Vents 122 provide a series ofholes that allow a flow of air through vents 122. In one embodiment, mudflap 120 can include a screen 126 (shown in FIG. 8) that allows the flowof air and/or fluid through mud flap 120. Embodiments of mud flap 120are operable to reduce drag from air when semitrailer is in motion byredirecting passing air and mist down and towards the center of thelongitudinal axis of semitrailer 102. Embodiments of mud flap 120 arealso operable to reduce road mist created by semitrailer 102 and wheels112.

In one embodiment, mud flap 120 and recapture device 116 are combinedsuch that mud flap 120 covers the front portion of recapture device 116behind wheels 112 (e.g., an intake hole 128 shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 10,and FIG. 11). As shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 intake hole 128 is fluidlyconnected to rear hole 130 by a hollow center. Embodiments provide thatmud flap 120 can include a recapture panel 124 (shown in FIG. 7)operable to redirect a portion of passing air away from recapture device116.

Shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 12 is fairing 105 located under the main frame104 and spaced from the axle assembly 108 along the longitudinal axis ofsemitrailer 102. Fairing 105 produces a smooth outline and reduces dragwith respect to passing airflow. The fairing 105 can extend along thelongitudinal axis of semitrailer 102 from adjacent the landing gear toadjacent the wheels 112 of axle assembly 108. Embodiments provide thatfairing 105 can be fixed relative to main frame 104 or movable relativeto main frame 104 such that as the subframe 106 (and axle assembly 108)are moved along the longitudinal axis of semitrailer 102, a givenspacing between axle assembly 108 and fairing 105 is maintained. Thatis, the position of the fairing 105 relative to the axle assembly 108 isindependent of the position of the axle assembly 108 relative to themain frame 104.

Referring to FIG. 18, shown is a front view of an extended mud flap 1802with vents 122. As illustrated in FIG. 18, extended mud flap 1802includes a curved portion 1804 whose surface is curved such that itcorresponds to the contours of rear wheels 112 of semitrailer 102. Inpractice, as mist from the road is sprayed by wheels 112, the mist iscaptured in by vents 122 and curved portion 1804. The mist is thendirected by extended mud flap 1802 with curved portion 1804 toward theground utilizing the air pressure created by forward momentum and thepressure from the wheel 112. FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of extendedmud flap 1802 with curved portion 1804.

It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any oneembodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other featuresdescribed, and may also be used alone, or in combination with one ormore features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of anyother of the embodiments. The presently disclosed embodiments aretherefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and notrestrictive. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not describedabove may also be employed without departing from the scope of thisdisclosure, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for reducing drag, the apparatus comprising: (a) a semitrailer having a main frame extending along a longitudinal axis and a subframe movably connected to the main frame between a first position along the longitudinal axis and a second position along the longitudinal axis; (b) an axle assembly attached to the subframe, the axle assembly including an axle, a left wheel set, a right wheel set, and a suspension; (c) a first recapture device located under the main frame behind and separated from the left wheel set along the longitudinal axis by a given spacing; and (d) a second recapture device located under the main frame behind and separated from the right wheel set along the longitudinal axis by a second spacing, wherein the first recapture device operable to expand to an expanded position and collapse to a collapsed position such that the given spacing is maintained, and wherein the second recapture device operable to expand to an expanded position and collapse to a collapsed position such that the second spacing is maintained, and wherein the first recapture device comprises a first opening adjacent the left wheel set fluidly connected to a second opening spaced from the left wheel set, and the second recapture device comprises a first opening adjacent the right wheel set fluidly connected to a second opening spaced from the right wheel set.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first recapture device and the second recapture device are comprised of at least one of rubber, thermoplastic, and polyvinyl chloride.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first opening of the first recapture device and the second recapture device has a circumference greater than the second opening of the first recapture device and the second recapture device.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first recapture device comprises a first permeable screen covering the first opening, and the second recapture device comprises a second permeable screen covering the first opening.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first and the second permeable screens comprise air directing structures.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first recapture device and the second recapture device are operable to maintain a given spacing from a rear of the semitrailer.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first recapture device and the second recapture device are slidably connected to the main frame.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first recapture device and the second recapture device are slidably connected to the axle assembly.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the subframe is moveable to a number of positions relative to the main frame along the longitudinal axis.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second recapture devices are connected to the subframe at the given spacing. 